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City plans design-build RFQ for comprehensive facility energy, resilience upgrades
Summary
City staff described a planned request for qualifications seeking a design-build firm to identify and install energy efficiency, solar+battery, EV charging and resilience measures across municipal facilities; staff emphasized grant-seeking and project prioritization based on condition, emissions reduction and community resilience.
City staff briefed the Energy and Environment Commission on a planned RFQ to hire a design-build team to plan and install comprehensive facility upgrades at multiple municipal sites.
Megan (city staff) told commissioners the RFQ (planned for issuance in February) will seek firms that can assess facility priorities, identify eligible grant funding, and deliver projects such as rooftop solar and battery storage, electric-vehicle charging infrastructure, heat-pump HVAC conversions, LED lighting, smart automation, irrigation controls and building-envelope weatherization.
Staff emphasized resilience goals: reducing reliance on portable generators during outages and creating or bolstering resilience hubs (public buildings with filtered air, backup power and cooling for the community). Commissioners suggested adding microgrids and synchronized traffic-signal controls to the scope and emphasized pursuing grant programs that pay for feasibility/design up front.
Why it matters: facilities upgrades can reduce the city’s greenhouse-gas emissions, lower operating costs, and increase the city’s ability to maintain services during outages and emergencies.
Budget and procurement notes
- Staff said the RFQ is an early step (qualifications-based). The city expects some firms to propose grant-funded or savings-backed financing models; staff did not provide a firm total cost estimate and said the RFQ will help reveal cost ranges.
- Selection criteria will include facility urgency/condition, service-criticality, cost-effectiveness per GHG reduction and grant eligibility.
Next steps
Staff will issue the RFQ in February, evaluate qualifications, then work with a selected firm to develop scopes, pursue funding and prioritize sites. The commission offered technical suggestions for the RFQ scope and requested that staff consider microgrid options and smart signal prioritization where relevant.
